Pedal structure for motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

A parking brake pedal structure is disclosed, wherein a parking brake pedal comprises a pedal arm and a pedal pad mounted at an end portion of the pedal arm. The pedal arm includes an arm body and an arm end portion for mounting the pedal pad thereon. The arm end portion includes a pad mounting upper portion for mounting the pedal bad thereon and a pad mounting side portion for mounting the pedal pad side portion of the pedal pad thereon. The pad mounting side portion is provided with a swelling portion which laterally protrudes to the same height as the thickness of the pedal pad side portion. The swelling portion advantageously prevents the driver&#39;s foot from being caught by the pedal pad side portion of the pedal pad. Therefore, it hardly occurs that the driver&#39;s foot is caught by the pedal pad.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.sctn. 119 with respect to Japanese Application No. 2002-344405 filed onNov. 27, 2002, the entire content of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a pedal structure at an endportion of a pedal for motor vehicles such as for example pedal forparking foot brake device, brake pedal, accel or gas pedal or the like

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0005] Over the floor ahead of a driver's seat in a motor vehicle, thereare usually provided a pedal for a parking foot brake device, a brakepedal and a gas or accel pedal. For example, the pedal for the parkingfoot brake device is arranged over the floor ahead of the driver's seatin juxtaposed relation with the brake pedal. The construction of a knownparking brake device is such that a parking brake pedal is stepped on towork the parking brake to be locked and then, the driver's foot can beput off the parking brake pedal, as described in Japanese unexamined,published patent application No. 11-321593.

[0006] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a pedal pad 130 made of rubber or softsynthetic resin is mounted on an end portion of a parking brake pedal110 for preventing the drivers' foot from slipping down from the parkingbrake pedal 110 when the driver steps on the parking brake pedal 110 andfor improving the touch of the parking brake pedal 110 the driver feelswhen stepping on the parking brake pedal 110. A pedal arm 120 of theparking brake pedal 110 is provided at an arm end 121 with a padmounting portion 122 of a wide width for mounting the pedal pad 130thereon.

[0007] The parking brake pedal 110 is arranged at the left of the brakepedal over the vehicle floor ahead of the driver's seat. Thus, it isliable to occur that when the driver steps on the brake pedal, the rightend portion of the parking brake pedal comes into touch with thedriver's foot. That is, as viewed in FIG. 7 illustrating the reverse orwrong side of the pedal pad 130 of the parking brake pedal 110, thecause is that the thickness of a pedal pad side portion 132 of the pedalpad 130 which side portion 132 is at the upper-left side in FIG. 7protrudes laterally beyond a pad mounting side portion 123 of the pedalarm 120. Further, when the driver steps on the parking brake pedal 110,it takes place occasionally that the right side portion of the parkingbrake pedal 110 comes into touch with the driver's foot.

[0008] Thus, there is the possibility that the driver's foot is caughtby the pedal pad side portion 132 of the pedal pad 130, because thepedal pad side portion 132 protrudes beyond the pedal arm portion 120,as shown in FIG. 7. As also shown FIGS. 7 and 9, the pedal pad 130 hasits attaching projection 132b inserted into an engaging hole 123 b whichis formed on the pad mounting side portion 123 of the pedal arm 120 ofthe parking brake pedal 110, and there is the possibility that the pedalpad 130 comes off the pad mounting upper portion 122.

[0009] The same problems as mentioned above take place not only in theparking brake pedal 110 but also in the brake pedal and the accel pedal.Pedal pads are also mounted on the end upper portions of the brake pedaland the accel pedal. Thus, when the brake pedal or the accel pedal ismanipulated on foot, it may occur occasionally that the driver has hisor her foot caught by the pedal pad thereof or caught by another pedalpad next thereto.

[0010] In the case of the parking braking pedal 110, it has thereforebeen practiced to provide a plate member 40 on the arm end 121 forpreventing the pedal pad 130 from catching the driver's foot, as shownin FIGS. 10 through 12. In this case, the plate member 40 is welded tothe pad mounting lower portion 124 of the pedal arm 120 so that theupper end portion of the plate member 40 covers the end portion of thepad mounting side portion 123 on which the side portion of the pedal pad130 is mounted. Therefore, when coming into touch with the pedal pad130, the driver's foot is guided by the plate member 40, and thus, itcan be avoided the driver's foot is caught by the end portion of thepedal pad 130.

[0011] However, welding the plate member 40 to the pedal arm 120 is oftime-consuming and laborious, and the cost for the plate member 40 perse has been needed, so that the use of the plate member 40 has caused anincrease in cost. Furthermore, additionally attaching the plate member40 has caused an increase in weight against the requirement for alighter vehicle. The same problems as aforementioned are applied to thebrake pedal or to the accel pedal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention toprovide an improved pedal structure for motor vehicles which is capableof being easier to manipulate a pedal like parking foot brake pedal,brake pedal, accel pedal or the like, of being easier to manufacture andof being reduced in cost.

[0013] Briefly, according to the present invention, there is provided apedal structure for a motor vehicle. The pedal structure comprises apedal arm pivoted when stepped on for transmitting the stepping-on forceand a pedal pad mounted on an end upper potion of the pedal arm forbeing stepped on foot. The pedal pad includes a pedal pad upper portionand a pedal pad side portion. The pedal arm includes an arm body and anarm end portion-for mounting the pedal pad. The arm end portion isprovided with the pad mounting upper portion for mounting the pedal padthereon and a pad mounting side portion for mounting the pedal pad sideportion thereon. A swelling portion is further provided at the padmounting side portion under the end portion of the pedal pad sideportion and laterally protruding to have the same height as thethickness of the pedal pad side portion.

[0014] With this configuration, the arm end portion is provided with thepad mounting upper portion for mounting the pedal pad and the padmounting side portion for mounting the pedal pad side portion thereon.And, the swelling portion is provided at the pad mounting side portion,and the pad mounting side portion and the swelling portion are made tohave almost the same height in the lateral direction. Therefore, a stepwhich would otherwise be formed between the pad mounting side portion ofthe pedal arm and the pedal pad side portion is removed by the presenceof the swelling portion thereat, Thus, even when the driver's foot isbrought into touch with the pedal pad in stepping on the parking brakepedal, it can be obviated that the driver's foot is caught by the pedalpad side portion and hence, it does not happen that pedal pad comes offthe pedal arm.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided aparking brake pedal structure in a parking foot brake device for a motorvehicle. The parking brake pedal comprises a pedal arm pivoted whenstepped on for transmitting the stepping force to the parking brakedevice and a pedal pad mounted on the end upper portion of the pedal armfor being stepped on foot. The pedal arm includes an arm end portion formounting the pedal pad thereon and an arm body connected to the parkingbrake device. The arm end portion is provided with a pad mounting upperportion for mounting the pedal pad thereon and a pad mounting sideportion for mounting the pedal pad side portion thereon. A swellingportion is further provided at the pad mounting side portion under theend portion of the pedal pad side portion and laterally protruding tohave the same height as the thickness of the pedal pad side portion.

[0016] With this configuration in another aspect, the swelling portionremoves a step which would otherwise be formed between the pad mountingside portion of the pedal arm and the pedal pad side portion. Thus, whenthe driver's foot is brought into touch with the pedal arm in steppingon the parking brake pedal, it can be obviated that the driver's foot iscaught by the pedal pad side portion and hence, it does not happen thatpedal pad comes off the pedal arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0017] The foregoing and other objects and many of the attendantadvantages of the present invention may readily be appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the preferred embodimentsof the present invention when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate thesame or corresponding parts throughout several views, and in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a general side view showing the whole of a parking brakedevice in an embodiment according to the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the bottom of anend portion of a pedal arm which constitutes a parking brake pedal shownin FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line A-A inFIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 4 is an enlarge fragmentary side view of the end portion ofthe pedal arm of the parking brake pedal shown in FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the bottom of a pedal pad perse which is mounted on an end upper portion of the pedal arm;

[0023]FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line A-A inFIG. 2 but showing that in another or second embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the bottom of anend portion of a pedal arm which constitutes a parking brake pedal in aparking brake device known as prior art;

[0025]FIG. 8 is an enlarge fragmentary side view showing the end portionof the pedal arm in the known parking brake device;

[0026]FIG. 9(A) is a fragmentary top view showing without a pedal padthe end portion of the pedal arm in the known parking brake device;

[0027]FIG. 9(B) is a fragmentary side view showing the end portion ofthe pedal arm shown in FIG. 9(A);

[0028]FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the bottom of anend portion of a pedal arm which constitutes a parking brake pedal inanother parking brake device also known as second prior art;

[0029]FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line B-B inFIG. 10; and

[0030]FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary side view showing the endportion of the pedal arm in the parking brake device also known as thesecond prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, a pedal structure for motor vehicle like parkingbrake pedals, brake pedals and gas or accel pedals which are theembodiments according to the present invention will be described with rference to the drawings, taking as an example a parking brake pedal of aparking foot brake d vice for a motor vehicle. Brake pedals and accelpedals are almost the same as parking brake pedals in the configurationof their pedal pads and arm ends of pedal arms. FIG. 1 is a general sideview showing the whole of the parking brake device in an embodiment, andFIGS. 2 to 4 are enlarged fragmentary views each showing the arm endportion of the parking brake device in the embodiment.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the parking foot brake device 1 for motorvehicles is used in parking a motor vehicle (e.g., automobile). When aparking brake pedal 10 is stepped on to work the parking brake, theparking brake is brought into a locking state to keep the motor vehiclebeing braked, so that the parking brake device 1 can make the motorvehicle not to move during the parking. Usually, the parking brakedevice 1 is arranged over the floor ahead of the driver's seat of.themotor vehicle in juxtaposed relation with a brake pedal (not shown). Thestructure of the parking brake device 1 is such that in parking themotor vehicle, the parking brake pedal 10 is stepped on to work theparking brake and to bring the same into a locking state, while indriving the motor vehicle, the parking brake pedal 10 is returned to anon-braking position to release the parking braking from the lockingstate.

[0033] The parking brake device 1 is composed of the parking brake pedal10 and a lock device 15 for the same. The parking brake pedal 10includes a pedal arm 20 for transmitting the stepping-on force of thedriver's foot and a pedal pad 30 provided at the end portion of thepedal arm 20.

[0034] The pedal arm 20 is composed of an arm body 25 for transmittingthe force to a lock device and an arm end portion 21 at the end portionof the arm body 25. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the arm end portion 21has the pedal pad 30 attached to the upper portion thereof. FIG. 2 is abottom view observing the arm end portion 21 from the back thereof, andFIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2.

[0035] The arm body 25 of the pedal arm 20 is made by press-forming asheet metal and takes a cup or U-letter shape in cross-section. Beingmade by press-forming, the arm body 25 is easier to manufacture,suitable for mass-production and can be of a lower cost. Further, takingthe U-letter shape in cross-section, the arm body 25 has a sufficientrigidity against the stepping-on force exerted thereon. Furthermore,being made of a sheet metal, being easier to process and being formedwith a vacant space inside the U-letter shape cross-section, the pedalarm 20 can be lightened thereby to help a lighter vehicle. In addition,since a side portion of the U-letter shape portion is made to be a padmounting side portion 23, the mounting of the pedal pad 30 can be doneeasily.

[0036] The cross-section of the arm end portion 21 remains almost theU-letter shape, as shown in FIG. 3. However, a pad mounting upperportion 22 of almost a quadrilateral or a four-sided figure is formed atthe arm end portion 21 for mounting the pedal pad 30 thereon. The padmounting upper portion 22 takes a semicylindrical shape whose centerportion swells out slightly, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0037] Further, a pad mounting side portion 23 is formed at the sidesurface of almost the U-shape cross-section. The pad mounting sideportion 23 is provided with an engaging hole 23 b for securing a pedalpad side portion 32 of the pedal pad 30 and is further provided with aswelling portion 23 a. The swelling portion 23 a is press-formed at thesame time as the pedal arm 20 is press-formed. That is, the forming ofthe swelling portion 23 a and the forming of the pedal arm 20 are donethrough the same press-forming process. Thus, it is unnecessary toattach, by welding or the like, another member for constituting theswelling portion 23 a to the pedal arm 20. Therefore, the pedal arm 20does not increase in weight, and the cost for processing the pedal arm20 is minimized, so that the provision of the swelling portion 23 ahardly gives rise to an increase in cost.

[0038] The portion that forms a lower part of an almost cup or U-lattershape cross-section is a pad mounting lower portion 24, whose endportion is bent to extend in a direction opposite to the pad mountingside portion 23 thereby to form an L-letter shape. At the extreme end ofthe arm end portion 21, the extreme ends of the pad mounting upperportion 22, the pad mounting side portion 23 and the pad mounting lowerportion 24 are closed to form an integral flat surface which connectsthese three extreme ends continuously.

[0039] The pedal pad 30 is mounted on the arm end portion 21. The pedalpad 30 is made of rubber or soft synthetic resin. Thus, when the parkingbrake pedal 10 is stepped on, the softness of the rubber or the softsynthetic resin improves the driver's feeling in stepping on the brakepedal 10. Further, the rubber or the soft synthetic resin works toprevent the driver's foot being slipped down from the parking brakepedal 10 when the driver steps on the same.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the pedal pad 30 comprises a pedal pad upperportion 31 mounted on the pad mounting upper portion 22 and a pedal padside portion 32 mounted on the pad mounting side portion 23 and take analmost L-shape in cross-section, as shown in FIG. 3. The pedal pad sideportion 32 is formed with a mounting projection 32 b, and the pedal padupper portion 31 is formed with a pad groove 33 and a pad cover portion34 at its circumferential portion. Like the pad mounting upper portion22, the pedal pad upper portion 31 takes a semicylindrical shape withthe center portion swelling out slightly.

[0041] In mounting the pedal pad 30 on the arm end portion 21 of thepedal arm 20, first of all, the circumferential portion of the padmounting upper portion 22 provided at the arm end portion 21 is fit inthe pad groove 33 of the pedal pad 30. Then, the back surface of thepedal pad upper portion 31 of the pedal pad 30 is brought into touchwith the pad mounting upper portion 22 provided at the arm end portion21. Further, the pedal pad side portion 32 of the pedal pad 30 isbrought into touch with the pad mounting side portion 23 of the pedalarm 20, and the mounting projection 32 b of the pedal pad side portion32 is inserted into the engaging hole 23 b.

[0042] Thus, the pedal pad 30 is secured to the pedal arm 20. Since thecircumferential portion of the pedal pad 30 has the pad cover portion 34which covers the circumferential portion of the back surface of the padmounting upper portion 22 and secures to wrap up the circumferentialportion of the pad mounting upper portion 22, the pedal pad 30 can befirmly secured to the pad mounting upper portion 22.

[0043] In this particular embodiment, as understood from the foregoingdescription, the swelling portion 23 a is provided at the pad mountingside portion 23 of the arm end portion 21 and laterally protrudes to thesame height (i.e., to the same lateral distance) as the thickness of thepedal pad side portion 32 of the pedal pad 30. Accordingly, a step whichwould otherwise be formed between the pad mounting side portion 23 ofthe pedal arm 20 and the pedal pad side portion 32 is eliminated orremoved by the presence of the swelling portion 23 a thereat. Thus, whenthe driver's foot is brought into touch with the pedal arm 20 instepping on the parking brake pedal 10, it can be obviated that thedriver's foot is caught by the pedal pad side portion 32 and hence, ithardly takes place that pedal pad 30 comes off the pedal arm 20.

[0044] In stead of forming at the arm end portion 21 the swellingportion 23 a which swells out as shown in FIG. 3, there may be provideda cut raised portion 23 c which is cut and raised as shown in FIG. 6.The cutting and raising process is easier to increase the height of thecut raised portion 23 c and is easier to machine.

[0045] In a modified form of the embodiment, an adhesive or bondingagent may be employed to attach the pedal pad 30 to the pedal arm 20.That is, the adhesive is applied to the back surface of the pedal pad 30or to the upper surface of the pad mounting upper portion 22 of thepedal arm 20, and then, the pedal pad 30 and the pad mounting upperportion 22 are attached to each other. Thus, the pedal pad 30 can befirmly secured to the pedal arm 20.

[0046] In this modified case, since the mounting is done using theadhesive and can be done only by applying the adhesive, the work formounting is simple. The use of the adhesive may make it possible to omitor remove the mounting projection 32 b, the pad groove 33 and the padcover portion 34 from the pedal pad 30. Where these portions are omittedor removed from the pedal pad 30, the weight of the pedal pad can bereduced, and the shape of the pedal pad 30 can be simplified, so thatthe pedal pad 30 becomes easier to manufacture and reduced in cost.

[0047] A so-called “Insert Forming” technology which has been known inthe art can be utilized to manufacture the pedal pad 30. In thetechnology, the arm end portion 21 of the pedal arm 20 is placed withina cavity which is formed in a casting mold (not shown) for forming thepedal pad 30, and then, rubber or soft synthetic resin is ejected orinjected into the cavity. The Insert Forming technology is implementedto form the pedal pad 30 bodily with the arm end portion 21, and therubber or the soft synthetic resin is brought into touch with the armend portion 21 while it is being molten at a high temperature, so thatthe pedal pad 30 can be firmly secured to the arm end portion 21.

[0048] Further, since the rubber or the soft synthetic resin is ejectedor injected with the arm end portion 21 being set in the casting mold,the forming of the pedal pad 30 and the mounting of the pedal pad 30 onthe pad mounting upper portion 22 of the arm end portion 21 can be donesimultaneously, the manufacturing of the pedal arm 20 becomes of thetime and labor-saving and can be reduced in manufacturing cost.Particularly, in the case that the pedal pad 30 is made of rubber, thepedal pad 30, while being vulcanized, is joined to the pad mountingupper portion 22 of the arm end portion 21, so that the joining of thepedal pad 30 to the pad mounting upper portion 22 can be furtherstrengthened.

[0049] Although in the foregoing embodiment, the present invention isapplied to the parking foot brake pedal, it can be also applied tovarious other pedals for motor vehicles such as accel or gas pedals,brake pedals, clutch pedals and the like.

[0050] Finally, various features and many of the attendant advantages ofthe foregoing embodiment will be summarized as follows:

[0051] That is, in the foregoing embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3for example, the arm end portion 21 is provided with the pad mountingupper portion 22 for mounting the pedal pad 30 and the pad mounting sideportion 23 for mounting the pedal pad side portion 32 thereon. And, theswelling portion 23 a is provided at the pad mounting side portion 23,and the pedal pad side portion 32 and the swelling portion 23 a are madeto have almost the same height in the lateral direction. Therefore, astep which would otherwise be formed between the pad mounting sideportion 23 of the pedal arm 20 and the pedal pad side portion 32 isremoved by the presence of the swelling portion 23 a thereat. Thus, whenthe driver's foot is brought into touch with the pedal arm 20 instepping on the parking brake pedal 10, it can be obviated that thedriver's foot is caught by the pedal pad side portion 32 and hence, ithardly occurs that pedal pad 30 comes off the pedal arm 20.

[0052] In the foregoing embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 forexample, the arm end portion 21 of the parking brake pedal 10 isprovided at the pad mounting side portion 23 with the swelling portion23 a, which is made to have almost the same height in the lateraldirection as the thickness of the pedal pad side portion 32. Thus, thereis present the swelling portion 23 a for removing the step which wouldotherwise be formed between the pad mounting side portion 23 of thepedal arm 20 and the pedal pad 30. Therefore, when the driver's foot isbrought into touch with the pedal arm 20 in stepping the parking brakepedal 10, it hardly takes place that the driver's foot is caught by thepedal pad side portion 32, and hence, that pedal pad 30 comes off thepedal arm 20.

[0053] In the foregoing embodiment, the pedal arm 20 is formed to be aU-letter shape in cross-section and can be made of a metal sheet.Therefore, since the pedal arm 20 is easier to process and is able toform a space inside the U-letter shape cross-section, it can belightened thereby to help lightening the vehicle. Further, since theside portion of the U-letter shape cross-section can be utilized to bethe portion for mounting the pedal pad side portion 32 thereon, themounting of the pedal pad 30 becomes easier.

[0054] In the foregoing embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 for example, sincethe pedal arm 20 is formed by press-forming, the machining of theU-letter shape cross-section can be done quickly and easily, so that asubstantial reduction in cost can be attained in manufacturing the pedalarm 20. Further, since the swelling portion 23 a can be formed bypress-forming at the same time as the forming of the U-letter shapecross-section, it is unnecessary to attach another member constitutingthe swelling portion 23 a, to the pedal arm 20 by welding, and there isno increase in weight. In addition to these, the cost for machining theswelling portion 23 a can be minimized, and therefore, the provision ofthe swelling portion 23 a does not result in a substantial increase incost.

[0055] In the foregoing second embodiment as shown in FIG. 6 forexample, since the swelling portion 23 a is made as the cut raisedportion 23 c which is formed by cutting and raising a part of the padmounting side portion 23 of the pedal arm 20, it is unnecessary toattach another plate member by welding or the like, so that there is noincrease in weight. Further, since the cut and raised portion 23 c(i.e., corresponding to the swelling portion 23 a) is formed bypress-forming at the same time as the machining of the U-letter shapecross-section, the machining cost therefor can be minimized, and theprovision of the cut raised portion 23 c does not result in asubstantial increase in cost.

[0056] In the foregoing embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 forexample, since the pedal pad 30 takes such configuration not only as tocover the whole of the surface of the pad mounting upper portion 22, butalso as to cove the circumferential portion of the back surface of thepad mounting upper portion 22, not only the whole of the upper surfacebut also the circumferential portion of the back surface of the padmounting upper portion 22 can be covered by providing thecircumferential portion of the pedal pad 30 with a pad groove 33 as amounting recess and by fitting the circumferential portion of the padmounting upper portion 22 in the pad groove 33 of the pedal pad 30.Thus, assembling the pedal pad 30 to the pad mounting upper portion 22becomes easier. In addition, since the circumferential portion of thepedal pad 30 covers the circumferential portion of the back surface ofthe pad mounting upper portion 22, it hardly takes place that the pedalpad 30 comes off the pad mounting upper portion 22.

[0057] In a modified form of the foregoing embodiment, since the pedalpad 30 is attached by an adhesive to the pad mounting upper portion 22of the arm end portion 21, it is firmly glued to the pad mounting upperportion 22, so that the pedal pad 30 hardly comes off the pad mountingupper portion 22. In addition, attaching the pedal pad 30 can be doneonly by applying the adhesive to the pad mounting upper portion 22, andthus, the attaching work is simple and easy.

[0058] In a modified form of the foregoing embodiments as shown in FIGS.3 and 6 for example, since the pedal pad 30 is made of rubber or softsynthetic resin, it can be firmly secured to the arm and portion 21 byintegrally forming the pedal pad 30 on the arm end portion 21 of thepedal arm 20 utilizing the Insert Forming technology.

[0059] In the last mentioned modified form of the foregoing embodiment,since the rubb r or the soft synthetic resin is formed by being ejectedor injected into the casting mold with the arm end portion 21 being setin the casting mold, the forming of the pedal pad 30 can be donesimultaneously with the mounting of the pedal pad 30 onto the padmounting upper portion 22. Thus, the forming and mounting of the pedalpad 30 become of the time and labor-saving and can be reduced in costs.Particularly, in the case of the pedal pad 30 being made of rubber, themounting of the pedal pad 30 to the pad mounting upper portion 22 of thearm end portion 21 can be done through vulcanization joining during thevulcanizing process of the rubber, so that the pedal pad 30 can befirmly secured to the pad mounting upper portion 22.

[0060] Obviously, other numerous modifications and variations of thepresent invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It istherefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims,the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pedal structure for a motor vehicle comprising:a pedal arm pivoted when stepped on for transmitting the stepping-onforce; and a pedal pad mounted on an end upper potion of said pedal armfor being stepped on the driver's foot; said pedal pad including a pedalpad upper portion and a pedal pad side portion; said pedal arm includingan arm end portion for mounting said pedal pad and an arm body; and saidarm end portion having a pad mounting upper portion for mounting saidpedal pad, a pad mounting side portion for mounting said pedal pad sideportion, and a swelling portion provided at said pad mounting sideportion under the end portion of said pedal pad side portion andlaterally protruding to have almost the same height as the thickness ofsaid pedal pad side portion.
 2. The pedal structure as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said pedal arm is formed to be a U-letter shape incross-section.
 3. The pedal structure as set forth in claim 2, whereinsaid pedal arm is press-formed, and wherein said swelling portion isformed simultaneously through the same press-forming process as is doneon said pedal arm.
 4. The pedal structure as set forth in claim 2,wherein said swelling portion is formed by partly cutting said padmounting side portion of said arm end portion and raising the cut partof said pad mounting side portion.
 5. The pedal structure as set forthin claim 1, wherein said pedal arm is press-formed, and wherein saidswelling portion is formed simultaneously through the same press-formingprocess as is done on said pedal arm.
 6. The pedal structure as setforth in claim 1, wherein said swelling portion is formed by partlycutting said pad mounting side portion of said arm end portion andraising the cut part of said pad mounting side portion.
 7. The pedalstructure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pedal pad covers thewhole of the right side of said pad mounting upper portion provided atsaid arm end portion and also covers the circumferential portion of thewrong side of said pad mounting upper portion.
 8. The pedal structure asset forth in claim 1, wherein said pedal pad is joined by an adhesive tosaid pad mounting upper portion of said arm end portion.
 9. The pedalstructure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pedal pad is made ofrubber or soft synthetic resin and wherein in Insertion Formingtechnology, said pedal pad is formed bodily on said arm end portion withthe same being set in a casting mold.
 10. A parking brake pedalstructure in a parking foot brake device for a, motor vehicle wherein aparking brake pedal comprises; a pedal arm pivoted when stepped on fortransmitting the stepping-on force to said parking brake device; and apedal pad mounted on an end upper portion of said pedal arm for beingstepped on the driver's foot; said pedal arm including an arm endportion for mounting said pedal pad and an arm body connected to saidparking brake device; and said arm end portion having a pad mountingupper portion for mounting said pedal pad, a pad mounting side portionfor mounting said pedal pad side portion, and a swelling portionprovided at said pad mounting side portion under the end portion of saidpedal pad side portion and laterally protruding to have the same heightas the thickness of said pedal pad side portion.
 11. The pedal structureas set forth in claim 10, wherein said pedal arm is formed to be aU-letter shape in cross-section.
 12. The pedal structure as set forth inclaim 11, wherein said pedal arm is press-formed, and wherein saidswelling portion is formed simultaneously through the same press-formingprocess as is done on said pedal arm.
 13. The pedal structure as setforth in claim 11, wherein said swelling portion is formed by partlycutting said pad mounting side portion and raising the cut part of saidpad mounting side portion.
 14. The pedal structure as set forth in claim10, wherein said pedal arm is press-formed, and wherein said swellingportion is formed simultaneously through the same press-forming processas is done on said pedal arm.
 15. The pedal structure as set forth inclaim 10, wherein said swelling is formed by partly cutting said padmounting side portion and raising the cut part of said pad mounting sideportion.
 16. The pedal structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein saidpedal pad covers the whole of the right side of said pad mounting upperportion provided at said arm and portion and also covers thecircumferential portion of the wrong side of said pad mounting upperportion.
 17. The pedal structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein saidpedal pad is joined by an adhesive to said pad mounting upper portion ofsaid arm end portion.
 18. The pedal structure as set forth in claim 10,wherein said pedal pad is made of rubber or soft synthetic resin andwherein in Insertion Forming technology, said pedal pad is formed bodilyon said arm end portion with the same being set in a casting mold.